The Bishop of Mannar had been silent on the LTTE artillery attack on St Sebastian’s Church, Thallady. Tuesday's attack killed six soldiers who were helping the church parish to clean the church in preparation for its annual feast.

When asked whether the Bishop of Mannar Rayappu Joseph who has been continuously critical of the security forces and has been silent about the LTTE atrocities, at least this time sent a message of condolence or a statement condemning the Tiger action, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara replied in the negative.

"No responsible person from the Church has condemned these atrocities, though we had discussions with the fathers of the particular church.

However Minister Rambukwella said that Bishop Duleep de Chikera has made a statement condemning the terrorist attack on the church.